Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Mar. 9 (VNA) -- Basic living standards will be ensured Vietnamese employees working at the bankrupt Korean-owned garment company, Daewoosa, on the South Pacific island of American Samoa.

U.S. State Department official, James Wulff, told the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) in Ha Noi in a meeting on Mar. 8 the standards would include accommodation, electricity and running water supply, while their food bill will be paid by charity organizations.

Wulff briefed the meeting about the results of his working visit to Samoa island to investigate the dispute between Vietnamese guest workers and their employer, Daewoosa.

He said most Vietnamese workers expressed their wish to return home after receiving their full pay - both salary and compensation.

The U.S. official quoted the administration of American Samoa as saying the dispute was very complicated and that the local court needed more time to give its final decision.

Participants at the meeting compared notes about how to avoid regrettable disputes like the one in American Samoa when sending Vietnamese abroad under labour contracts.

VGCL representatives briefed the U.S. representative about Viet Nam's labour export policy and said Viet Nam's Trade Union was obliged to help resolve labour disputes to protect the legitimate rights of its members.

The Vietnamese side said they hopes to receive further information from the U.S. about labour contracts.--VNA